Primary election battles looming in cities

South Bend, Mishawaka and Roseland races on ballot for May.

South Bend, Mishawaka and Roseland races on ballot for May.

With Republican and Democratic mayoral races in South Bend and Mishawaka, and council races in both cities, the May 8 Primary Election is shaping up to be one of the liveliest in years. Republicans Juan Manigault, a Workforce Development executive, and businessman and former council member Terry Miller are running for what promises to be a hotly contested GOP nomination for mayor of South Bend. Both candidates are expected to have strong, well-funded campaigns, a huge change from four years ago, when businessman Thomas Schmidt was unopposed for the South Bend mayoral nomination. Schmidt, who received little party direction or support in the ensuing campaign, suffered a crushing defeat by incumbent Democratic Mayor Stephen J. Luecke that November. Luecke, still the incumbent and seeking his third term, isn't expected to have much trouble in his Democratic primary contest with little-known opponent William Davis, but appears likely to be facing a much-stronger Republican opponent in the fall than he did in 2003. South Bend City Clerk John Voorde, a Democrat, is seeking re-election unopposed, as is the council's 1st District Democratic incumbent, Derek Dieter. In the 2nd District, incumbent Democrat Charlotte Pfeifer, director of campus diversity and judicial affairs at Indiana University South Bend, is seeking her fourth term. She is facing primary challenges from newcomers Henry Davis Jr., a caseworker in the county prosecutor's child support division, and Jerry L. Donaldson, director of Renew Inc., a local housing program that assists first-time homebuyers. There is no Republican candidate. The retirement of incumbent Democrat Roland Kelly triggered a flurry of activity in the 3rd District, where there are two primary races. For the Democrats, it's Tom La Fountain, an attorney, running against David Sassano, an architect. The Republican candidates are Christopher Adamo, an admissions counselor at Holy Cross College, and William Soderberg, who is principal of McKinley Primary Center. Retired schoolteacher Ann Puzzello is the Democratic incumbent in the 4th District. She is seeking her fifth term. Her opponent is Melvin Holmes, a retired senior buyer for AM General. No Republican filed in the 4th District. In the 5th District, incumbent Republican David Varner, a dentist, and Democratic newcomer Debbie L. Ray, a school corporation secretary, are each running unopposed. The most hotly contested race is South Bend's 6th District, where Democratic incumbent Erv Kuspa is facing six challengers. The race didn't draw any Republicans but Kuspa, a retired Water Works employee and deacon at Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, is going to have his hands full with the Democrats who want his job. They include Oliver Davis, Anthony Ross, David J. Thomas, Larry Jasinski, Drew Holston and Rita M. Kopczynski. Davis is chairman of the Transpo board of directors. Ross is a police officer, Thomas is an accountant, Jasinski is a water business technician- manager and Kopczynski is a youth ministries coordinator and director of special projects at St. Adalbert's parish. Holston, who filed without fanfare on Friday, could not be reached for comment. Five Democrats and one Republican are seeking the three council at-large seats. The three incumbent Democrats seeking re-election are Timothy Rouse, Al "Buddy" Kirsits and Karen L. White. Rouse is a minister, Kirsits is a fire department battalion chief and White is vice chancellor for student services at IUSB. The other candidates are Eric Brown, a sheet metal worker, and Larry Kent Moody, a South Bend resident who has previously filed for public offices but campaigned only minimally. Mishawaka There will only be two primary races in Mishawaka, one for the Democratic nomination for mayor and one for the Democratic nomination for the fourth district seat on the Mishawaka Common Council. Mike Hayes, a Mishawaka firefighter and former Mishawaka Common Council member and Penn Township Trustee, will battle for the Democratic nomination with Dona Lynn Hall, who is making her third run for mayor. The winner will face incumbent Republican Mayor Jeff Rea in November. In the fourth district Maurice VanBruaene, who has run for mayor and council before, and George Lane, who previously sought and lost a Primary bid for St. Joseph County commissioner, face off for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face incumbent Republican Marsha McClure. There are three at large seats on the council and three candidates from each party are seeking them. The Democrats are incumbents John Gleissner, Gregg Hixenbaugh and John Roggeman. The Republicans are Mike Hodgson, Matt Dodd and David B. Thomas. That Thomas is different from the David J. Thomas who is running for a seat on the South Bend Common Council. The other Mishawaka Common Council candidates are all incumbents. They are Dale "Woody" Emmons, D-1st; Dave Wood, R-2nd; Jason Mazurkiewicz, R-3rd; Mike Compton, D-5th; and Ron Banicki, D-6th. Roseland Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Roseland Town Council in the upcoming election. Robin Ackerson, Elizabeth McCombs and incumbent Charley Shields filed as Democrats. Mike Gillam filed to run as a Republican. Ackerson is a deputy clerk in the St. Joseph County assessor's office. Gillam, is a truck driver and previously served in the U.S. Army for 12 years. Neither Shields nor McCombs, a former town council member and clerk-treasurer, could be reached for comment at press time Friday.